Question Re 3 Month Intensive Program with Aetna

[mmcclure 3]

I am in the process of doing the three-month intensive diet/exercise/behavior modification requirement for Aetna. Does anyone know if this means that I have to see the psychologist and nutritionist a total of 4 times or 3? I know that this seems like a silly question, but the psychologist says it is only 3 and the nutritionist says it is 4 (1st visit, 2nd visit after one month, 3rd visit after 2 months and 4th visit after 3 months). And, does it matter if you go over or less than 30 days in-between visits?

[lil red raider 5]

I have aetna. I did 3 dietician visits and one nutritional eval visit. I started in March. The way mine worked was just some time in the month. I did one in March, One in April, One in May and my nutritional eval in May. I only saw the psychologist once.

[bearwitme 1]

I have Aetna also. I did not have to see the phyc. I am also on the 3 month class thing. Next week is my last class.

[settebee 11]

I did the three month prep as well. Month one I saw the doctor, did my psyche evaluation, saw the dietian and fitness guy and one support group, month two dietain and fitness guy via email and the last month same as first minus the psyche evaluation! :001_tt2: Good luck!

[KatieD 0]

So, how do you even get started with Aetna. Did you see your reg Dr or go to the VSG first? I am in the Dallas area and I am interested in the VSG. What does Aetna require from these 3months of visits - Nutritionist, Psyc eval etc or what do they need in order to pay for the VSG?

[KatieD 0]

do you recommend your vsg dr? Was this Dr recommended to you?

[mmcclure 3]

Check out: Obesity Surgery. Although it looks like everyone with Aetna has to meet these exact guidelines, from the posts above, I'm not sure exactly how it is determined. Also, not every Aetna plan covers bariatric surgery.

To find a good surgeon, you might want to look for a support group or two in your area and attend a few meetings. I'm sure you will find people willing to talk to you about the doctor they used.

Good luck!

Marilee

[lil red raider 5]

I have Aetna select. I went to my PCP and she wrote a letter of referral. I went on Aetna Docfind and found a surgeon who took my plan. I called and made an appointment at Dr. Barker's ofc. His ofc does everything you need for insurance to pay. I only paid my co pays and they told me everything I needed to do. I am 3 weeks out of surgery and knock on wood seem to be healing fine.

[DougNichols 124]

Aetna won't cover my nutritionist, even though it's required for my sleeve surgery intense program. I'm appealing it. Very annoying, and I don't want to pay $500 total for all the visits.

[6kiddos 18]

They would have covered the nutritionist for me IF there was one here on my plan. I am doing the 6 month diet (finish Oct 1!) so I only needed one visit.

I hear ya on cost though...we hit our family ded. of $10k in June! The silver lining of that is that everything is 100% now. I am sooo hoping they approve this for me and I can get in before the end of the year! We are doing TONS of medical stuff right now because it is 100%...dermatologist, allergist, etc. fun, fun, fun!

[peatie 4]

They would have covered the nutritionist for me IF there was one here on my plan. I am doing the 6 month diet (finish Oct 1!) so I only needed one visit.

I hear ya on cost though...we hit our family ded. of $10k in June! The silver lining of that is that everything is 100% now. I am sooo hoping they approve this for me and I can get in before the end of the year! We are doing TONS of medical stuff right now because it is 100%...dermatologist, allergist, etc. fun, fun, fun!

I hit my deductible this year too which is why i want to have my by year's end. ugh... hate the waiting game. Good luck to you!